The government’s Children’s Commissioner is in the process of surveying a million children to seek their views in a survey called The Big Future. Our Year Two pupils completed these surveys verbally with Miss Geraldine, without either being briefed or prompted. Here is a summary of their answers.

It was wonderful to note that they all felt they came from loving homes and felt safe and supported at school. They also felt they had fun at school. All of the children felt that children were not safe online, that the government did not currently listen to them (“they don’t even know who I am”), but they all felt hopeful about their future.

In terms of improvements to their local area, they felt there could be more playgrounds, that parking should improve, especially near the doctors, and that there should be better security. Quite a few felt their local area was not clean and tidy because of litter.

On how the government could make their future better, they felt the country should be more sustainable, using electricity for vehicles and solar panels on buildings. They felt the government should protect nature and green areas, and create more hospitals. They also thought the government should make sure everybody had somewhere to live, food to eat and water to drink, and that there should be more jobs for teenagers and young people.

Perhaps most touching of all, they believed the government should not take part in wars or make bombs, but should “just talk things through” instead.

All in all, we think we should be proud of the responses of our six and seven year olds! You may wish to take a look at the survey and perhaps run through it with your own children.